More Money For Schools Might Not Be Enough

Jefferson City, Mo. – Missouri's public schools will be getting more money in Governor Jay Nixon's budget for next year, but they will not be fully funded.

Under Nixon's budget, K-12 funding will increase by $18 million through the state's school funding formula. It's still $87 million short of what schools need to be considered fully funded.

Linda Luebbering, the Missouri State budget director, says given the difficult budget situation, any increase is good

"A lot of other states are cutting K-through-12 quite dramatically," says Leubbering, "The governor is definitely not recommending that, and as I said, he took any cuts to the foundation formula off the table early."

GOP Senator Jason Crowell of Cape Girardeau called the move "bizarre and troubling." He says the decision could trigger another lawsuit over school funding

Education officials say the move could result in teachers not getting raises, larger class sizes and fewer extracurricular activities.

About half of Missouri's school districts recently challenged the school funding formula in court, and lost. Leubbering counters Governor Nixon is increasing K- 12 funding while many other states are making dramatic cuts.